Government
Transport Topics government and regulatory coverage keeps managers of a highly-regulated industry aware of the policy decisions that can shape their businesses. Covering both the legislative and regulatory aspects of policy-making, at both the state and national levels, the news in this category includes looks at infrastructure, hours of service, emissions rules, funding measures, leadership appointments, and more. Readers can follow what’s happening in Congress, at the Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, and in state and local governments.
Fed ‘Beige Book’ Shows Increased Transport Activity
Freight transportation activity increased in June and July, with volume gains in several regions, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.
July 28, 2010TT Podcasts: RoadSigns
Check out Transport Topics' updated Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America, and explore how the industry's top players have adapted to a tough freight market and are preparing for the future.
LaHood Announces National Summit on Distracted Driving
The second National Distracted Driving Summit will be held Sept. 21 in Washington, D.C., Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced.
July 28, 2010Oil Falls Near $77 as Supply Jumps
Oil prices fell near $77 Wednesday after a report showed that crude supplies jumped last week, the Associated Press reported.
July 28, 2010Opinion: Shippers Face a Carriers’ Market
The exodus of drivers during the economic downturn is creating a driver shortage as the economy begins to recover. Add to this escalating costs for carriers complying with new federal regulations for tractors, trailers and communications and you have a recipe for reduced capacity and higher prices.
July 28, 2010LaHood Rules Out Fuel Tax Increase
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood rejected raising fuel taxes to pay for highway improvements and said that, despite pessimism about the prospects for a long-term highway bill, the administration was focused on completing a bill this year.
Feds Lack Tools to Track Bridge Spending In States
Twenty-five percent of the nation’s 603,000 bridges are structurally deficient in some way, but the federal government lacks the analytic and procedural tools to determine what impact federal bridge money would have in addressing the problem, a Government Accountability Office report said.
P.A.M. Reports Second-Quarter Profit
P.A.M. Transportation Services reported a profit of $1.3 million in the second quarter, compared with a $2.4 million loss a year ago.
July 27, 2010Rendell Pleads for Special Session to Address Transportation
In a plea to the Pennsylvania State Legislature to hold a special session on transportation funding, Gov. Edward Rendell (D) recently told members of the Senate Transportation Committee that, collectively in their 13 districts, they have 1,970 structurally deficient bridges.
Six More States Act To Prohibit Indemnification Contracts
Florida and Louisiana are among six states this year to pass anti-indemnification laws that prohibit contractors from shifting insurance liabilities onto truckers.
New Georgia Law Protects Truckers on Liability
As of this month, under a new Georgia law carriers in that state can no longer be forced to accept unwarranted insurance liability in order to get a special permit.